YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Dr. Ray Greek
1 Dr. Ray Greek is a physician who is board certified in anesthesiology and sub-specialty certified in Pain Management. He was an instructor at two of the United States' most prestigious medical schools and has published in the medical literature. He has performed experiments on animals and research with humans. Along with his wife, who is a veterinarian, he has written 2 books on the scientific fallacy of attempting to extrapolate the results of animal experiments to humans, Sacred Cows Golden Geese (forward by Jane Goodall) and Specious Science. He has shown not only that animal experiments are unnecessary, but that they have resulted in both direct and indirect harm to humans. Thus these expensive and risky animal experiments produce nothing that could not be accomplished via other methods. Dr. Greek effectively argues that the money currently going to fund animal experiments should be designated for other historically more productive and scientific means of health research. He is president of Americans For Medical Advancement, a 501c3 dedicated to educating the public about the hazards of extrapolating the results of experiments on animals to humans.
Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji
A multi-faceted personality, Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji is a young Jain Sadhvi with outstanding qualities. Her unique approach to understand and present religion has touched many lives. She is multi-lingual and a great inspirer and motivator to young people across the world. Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji comes from Veerayatan, a Jain socio-religious institution dedicated to helping humanity. In Veerayatan, the concept of service to mankind is not only preached by the nuns but also practiced by them. Love and devotion, which are the foundations of Veerayatan are manifested through various activities which include running a charitable eye hospital, an orthopedic clinic for polio patients, educational facilities for needy students, direct employment to the unemployed through its various activities and training facilities in vocational courses. The institute has motivated many people to lead a value-oriented life. Veerayatan was one of the first organizations to arrive with helping hands at Kutch after the terrible earthquake.
Shri Shilapiji was truly inspired when she first visited the Veerayatan institution in 1986. Her first meeting with Acharya (head nun) Shri Chandanji was the turning point as she decided to make Veerayatan her new home. The next five years were a remarkable story of service and sacrifice, of devotion and dedication, of master-disciple relationship. She chose to work from within: through the humility of heart, the silence of the soul- actively involving herself in social and medical welfare, rural development projects and the promotion of Jainism not only as a religion but also its place in the promotion of human welfare.
Shri Shilapiji finally decided to take Diksha (renunciation) in 1991 at the young age of 26. She was able to undertake an in-depth study of Jain scriptures during two periods of silence, one for six months in 1991, and the other for four months in 1993. Through her innovative ideas, and despite resistance from traditionalists, she made a significant contribution to the concept of 'practical modern Jainism'. She also traveled extensively in India for the promotion of non-violence, peace and harmony.
She joined King's College in London in 1995 where, a year later, she completed a master's degree with distinction in Comparative Indian Religions. She is presently undertaking a Ph.D. in Compassionate Aspect of Jainism at King's college in London.
Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji's stay in the United Kingdom has had a tremendous impact on the daily lives of thousands of Jain families residing there. She has given birth to faith in the local Jain community, where after years of spiritual apathy, her presence has inspired an awakening and the beginning of a new era. In a short space of time, she has successfully established an International School of Learning Jainism (Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth), with centers in North and South London and in Nairobi and Thika in Kenya. Recently she started two new centers in Australia, and has had many invitations from different countries to support her work.
Jain Education Interational 2010_03